First-Year Seminars serve as an introduction to college-level learning and the intellectual life at the University of Iowa and provide a mechanism for students to connect with other first year students in a smaller classroom setting. 

First-Year Seminar instructors are highly engaged in student development and have an active, important role in their students' transition to college. As a result, First-Year Seminars introduce new, first year students to important principles and academic expectations that will help them be successful at the University of Iowa. In addition, First-Year Seminars provide students with an opportunity to work closely with UI faculty, instructional staff, or a senior-level administrator.